Plymouth Council Approves 2013 Preliminary Tax Levy

The Plymouth City Council approved a slight increase for the 2013 preliminary tax levy at its Sept. 11 meeting.

The city had to approve a preliminary tax levy by Sept. 15 for the state. The preliminary levy can be decreased, but not increased before its final approval in December. 

According to city documents:

The 2013 amended budget results in a total City levy increase of 1.94 percent or $557,492 from the 2012 tax levy.

The amended 2013 budget includes the General Fund budget of $30,906,473, which is an increase of 2.95 percent from 2012.

Significant changes in the General Fund budget include:

• Increase in contingency costs – projected rate increases for the city’s share of health and dental insurance

• Increase in utility cost – natural gas and electric

• Increase in police salaries – new Patrol Officer and Community Service Officer

• Elimination of five positions

The 2013 preliminary levy increase would result in a tax decrease of about $14.52 on the median value home in Plymouth ($250,200).

The preliminary levy includes a 3 percent increase in the Street Reconstruction Fund for a total of $80,581 of additional funding. The Park Replacement funding was increased from $100,000 to $330,000.

Special levies were reduced by approximately $600,000 because of the elimination of two debt levies as a result of the recent debt study.

There were no levy changes for the Park and Recreation fund, Capital Improvement Fund and the HRA.

The Council set a budget public hearing for 7 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 11, in the Plymouth City Hall Council Chambers. The public can weigh in publicly at that time or contact staff about the budget and preliminary tax levy before that.

(Information provided by the city of Plymouth.)